5 Things to Do After a Car Accident

Everyone hopes to avoid a car accident. However, the odds of experiencing a car accident at some point in life run high. About 50 million people incur injuries in car accidents each year. In the event of an accident, you should prepare for what happens next. There are a few basic steps to follow after your car accident, and each one is important.

Knowing the basics helps you get through the first week after your accident. You might feel disoriented and stressed, so having a roadmap could prove invaluable. These five things critical to-do pointers can guide you through your steps following a car accident.

Exchange Information

Right after your accident, you should pull over in a safe, non-trafficked area, and exchange information with the other driver. You must report the incident to your insurance companies. If one or both of you sustained serious wound, stay put. Make a phone call if you can; otherwise, wait until paramedics arrive. Assuming you accident isn’t severe, however, you need to make sure you stay in sight of the other driver and exchange information. It’s illegal to drive away and avoid the exchange.

Call Your Family

Whether your injuries were serious or minor, you should let your family know right away that you had an accident. At this point, you feel shaken and rattled, and it helps get through those first shaky hours to talk to someone you love. You should also alert them right away, in case you fail to come home on time, or your office calls your spouse, asking what’s keeping you. Keep your loved ones in the loop as soon as possible, so they don’t have cause for alarm.

See the Doctor

After your accident, you may feel fine. Certain injuries, however, don’t manifest right away. You’re also not entitled to certain insurance claims unless you’ve seen a doctor or chiropractor, so make an appointment within your first week. Your doctor may recommend a few visits, physical therapy, or massage therapy. If your accident was more severe, you may need a surgery of some kind.

Talk to a Lawyer

You deserve financial relief for your accident, especially if the other driver caused the accident. Negligence on their part could help you win a personal injury case, so you should get in touch with lawyer about settling your injury. Even if the accident was your fault, you’re entitled to certain ICBC rights, and you should get in touch with an icbc lawyer. Don’t ignore the financial assistance you could win with a lawyer on your side.

See a Therapist

If you suffered a severe accident, consider seeing a therapist. Drivers who experience traumatic accidents often learn they suffer from either PTSD or driving anxiety. You shouldn’t feel any shame about these symptoms. However, you should take them to a professional. A therapist helps you deal with lingering trauma and anxiety, and get you back on your feet.